Morning News for Wednesday, June 19th

Open fires, including grills, campfires, and even cigarettes smoked outside of vehicles, will be banned in much of the Mendocino National Forest starting Tuesday because of dry conditions and the threat of wildfires.

Violations of the burn ban can result in fines of up to $5,000 per person and up to six months in jail.

For more information, call (530)934-3316,

Last week, the Mendocino Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to stop work on the PACE program which would have allowed property owners to purchase energy efficient and energy saving appliances through loans that would be repaid as additions on their property taxes. The measure was opposed by a national bankers group and several local banks.

Despite the defeat, Keith Rutledge of the Renewable Energy Development Institute (REDI) Willits is circulating a petition to ask the Board of Supervisors to reconsider developing the Clean Energy Assessment financing program for Mendocino County online at chn.ge/11DpArX

A former police officer and Lake County Sheriff's deputy is now facing charges in a local case for allegedly trafficking in prescription drugs.

Eric Van Mendonca, 43, was arrested by sheriff's deputies at his Middletown homeMonday.

Mendonca is facing 16 felony counts for possession for sale, of hydrocodone on seven dates in November through February of this year.

The investigation, conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, found that Mendonca had managed to accumulate 17,540narcotic painpills by shopping doctors.

Each of the 16 felony charges carries sentences ranging between 16 months and four years if Mendonca is convicted.

Mendonca was booked into the Lake County Jail, with bail was set at $275,000. He posted bail and was released the same day.

No court date has yet been set for Mendonca .

The Sonoma Water Agency on Monday, began inflating its rubber dam on the Russian River near Forestville, CA. The rubber dam is a critical component of the Russian River water supply system that provides naturally filtered drinking water to more than 600,000 residents in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties. The rubber dam will remain inflated through summer and into the fall.

The rubber dam will be inflated slowly to maintain flows downstream, and may take around two weeks to be fully inflated.

When fully inflated, the rubber dam creates a small pool of water from which the Water Agency draws water for use in four off-stream infiltration ponds. The infiltration ponds help recharge groundwater which is then naturally filtered through sand and gravel and delivered to the Water Agency’s customers.

Permanent fish ladders provide fish passage around the rubber dam when it is inflated.

Boaters must portage around the rubber dam downstream of Wohler Bridge.

The Target store chain has announced they will be adding a new brand to their shelvesCalled Simply Balanced, that will phase out all genetically modified ingredients by the end of 2014.

According to a press release, the initial roll-out will include a selection of foods that are 40% organic and the majority of them will not contain GMOs.

The First Annual KNYO Bar B Q will be held on Sat. June 22nd from 1-9 PM at the KNYO Fallout Shelter at 325 N. Franklin St. in downtown Fort Bragg. They'll have a jam session, bar b q and vegan food, beer and refreshments.

Coming Up on KZYX

Wildoak Living; Monday @ 9:00 AM

Johanna "Wildoak" talks with Sherrie Smith-Ferri, Executive Director of the Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah, about a new exhibit, Ignite! The Art of Sustainability. It features 13 of California's foremost environmental artists connecting with their natural surroundings. They use a variety of traditional as well as unconventional media and draw on art, science, spirituality and social justice. Johanna will also share information about simple, non-toxic spring cleaning and other seasonal sustainable living topics.

Farm & Garden Show; Monday @ 1:00 PM

Join Valerie Kim with Master Gardener Wendy Roberts. They'll be talking about what to be doing in your garden right now, adapting to climate change and taking your calls and questions to help you have a successful garden this year. Women's Voices; Monday @ 7:00 Tune in for a special program to wind up Women's History Month. Featuring profiles of Mendocino County women including Ruth Weiss, Judi Bari and Susan B Jordan.

Mind Body Health; Tuesday @ 9:00 AM

Dr Richard Miller will interview Johann Hari regarding his recent book Chasing the Scream which reveals the origins of america's war on drugs as being a racially motivated action against people of color with no basis in science.

On this 5th Tuesday of the month, we present Climate One on the Ecology Hour. This evening, Weather Whiplash. The frequency of extreme weather events, from hurricanes and floods to wildfires and drought, is on the rise across the country. We know that global warming is causing this weather whiplash, but what can be done about it? With Louise Bedsworth of the California Governor's Office of Planning and Research Kathryn Sullivan with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Hunter Cutting of Climate Nexus

Whale researcher Jodi Smith has been studying the killer whale pods in the San Juan Islands for 14 years, and she's found out where they go in the winter. They are here in Mendocino County, off the coast, eating lots of salmon. Smith is the founder of the non-profit organization Naked Whale Research, and she lives in Fort Bragg. We'll also visit the Point Arena lighthouse, and hear the latest on the seal rescues off the coast of Northern California. Produced by the KZYX News Department.

TUC Radio; Thursday @ 1:00 PM

Howard Zinn: The Occupation of The United States Part 1 Howard Zinn spoke about the United States as occupied territory. He said that political and ideological power have been seized by a small group of radical anti-democratic ideologues. They have pursued an illegal, unconstitutional effort in their disastrous drive to solidify their reactionary agenda.

The Discussion; Thursday @ 7:00 PM

Join WDan & Stuart for The Discussion, a call in program devoted to dialog about issues affecting our lives here in Mendocino County.

KZYX Phone Numbers

Business office 707-895-2324

Philo studio 707-895-2448

Willits studio 707-456-9991

Mendocino studio 707-937-5103

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